OneTaste Founder Receives Nine-Year Prison Sentence in Forced Labour Case
The leader of a controversial women's wellness company that promoted "orgasmic meditation" has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison on forced labour charges, according to prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York.
Nicole Daedone, co-founder of OneTaste Inc., was also ordered to forfeit $12 million during a hearing in Brooklyn on Monday. This amount represents the proceeds from her sale of the California-based company in 2017.
Prosecution's Case and Sentencing Arguments
Federal prosecutors had originally sought a 20-year prison term for Daedone, arguing in presentencing court filings that her scheme left numerous victims "financially, emotionally and psychologically scarred."
Prosecutors detailed how Daedone and her co-conspirators allegedly exercised control through economic pressure, psychological manipulation, physical exhaustion and emotional degradation, resulting in what they described as "a trail of financial ruin and lasting trauma" for followers.
During the approximately one-month trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Daedone and former sales director Rachel Cherwitz ran a yearslong scheme that groomed adherents—many of whom were victims of sexual trauma—to comply with their demands.
Defence Arguments and Character References
Daedone's defence team argued that imposing a lengthy imprisonment would be unreasonable, seeking instead a term of approximately two years. They emphasised that the New York resident had no prior criminal record and presented more than 200 letters submitted to the court attesting to her character.
Her lawyers described Daedone as "a prolific writer, teacher, and spiritual practitioner whose work has long focused on reducing suffering and fostering meaningful human connection." They portrayed her as a "ceiling-shattering feminist entrepreneur" who created a unique business centred on women's sexuality and empowerment.
Among those who wrote letters of support were Van Jones, a CNN correspondent and former adviser to President Barack Obama, who described Daedone as "a woman of uncommon wisdom, grace and moral courage." Actor Richard Schiff of "The West Wing" also wrote in support, stating she had "spent her life trying to bring compassion, awareness, and honesty to a part of human experience that is often shamed or misunderstood."
OneTaste's History and Practices
Daedone co-founded OneTaste in San Francisco in 2004 as a self-help commune that viewed female orgasms as central to sexual and psychological wellness. The company's signature practice was "orgasmic meditation" or "OM," which involved men manually stimulating women in group settings.
During the 2010s, OneTaste received positive media coverage as a cutting-edge enterprise focused on women's sexual pleasure, expanding to locations from Los Angeles to London. Daedone sold her stake in the company in 2017 for $12 million, one year before OneTaste's marketing and labour practices came under investigation.
The company's current owners have since rebranded it as the Institute of OM Foundation, maintaining that its work has been misconstrued and that the charges against its former executives were unjustified.
Allegations of Coercion and Abuse
Prosecutors alleged that Daedone and Cherwitz used economic, sexual and psychological abuse, intimidation and indoctrination to force OneTaste members into sexual acts they found uncomfortable or repulsive. This reportedly included having sex with prospective investors or clients.
The two leaders allegedly told followers these questionable acts were necessary to obtain "freedom" and "enlightenment," and to demonstrate commitment to the company's principles.
Rachel Cherwitz, the company's former sales director, was scheduled to be sentenced later on Monday. Daedone's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the sentencing.
